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2005/01/25
The UK-based survey revealed
68% of 1,000 people questioned had faith in alternative therapies,
such as herbal medicine
and naturopathy.
One in four thought western medicine was the
only way to treat health problems, the survey found.
It was
commissioned by London's Diagnostic Clinic, which combines
orthodox and complementary medicine.
People aged 35 to 44 of
the 1,000 quizzed were the most likely to have faith in complementary
medicine.
The findings come at a time when complementary therapies
are becoming more popular than ever.
Britons spend £130m a year on alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and
reflexology, and that is expected to rise by £70m over the next four years.
Their
popularity has prompted the UK government to pledge £900,000 to fund the regulation
of some complementary medicine. Dr Rajendra Sharma, medical director of the Diagnostic
Clinic, called for complementary medicine to become more mainstream.
Future
"Orthodox and complementary medicine should not sit on different sides
of healthcare provision," he said.
"Integrated medicine, where fully qualified
doctors are also experts in many of the complementary disciplines, should be
the healthcare model of the future."
But Dr Jim Kennedy, prescribing spokesman
for the Royal College of GPs, warned: "Complementary medicine covers a wide spectrum
and there is not the evidence to support the use of some of it.
"As doctors we
know our patients do use complementary medicine and we don't have a problem when
it is proven to be useful."
The British Medical Association agreed not all complementary
medicine had a proven track record.
And a spokeswoman added: "Doctors and patients want to know what
works and what
doesn't."
"Given NHS resources are scare, it makes sense that any therapies available
on the health service have scientific evidence to show they actually work."
Story from BBC NEWS
© BBC MMV
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